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Laker Steve Nash retiring after 19-year NBA career
Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash speaks at a news conference at the Toyota Sports Center Tuesday in El Segundo, California. The two-time NBA MVP, who played 65 games with the Lakers, announced his retirement from basketball.
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Glenn Koenig/LA Times via Getty Images
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Laker Steve Nash shoots under pressure from Kevin Martin (R) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game in 2013.
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Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
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Nash drives the ball against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during the 2013 Global Games at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in China.
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ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
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Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (left) greets Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash before a game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas in 2007.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT via Getty Images
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Steve Nash, during his time with the Dallas Mavericks, (R) outruns Sacramento Kings' Bobby Jackson (L) to a loose ball during second half action against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas in 2002.
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Paul Buck/AFP/Getty Images
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Los Angeles Lakers Guard Steve Nash announced Tuesday during a news conference at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo that he is retiring from the NBA.
Nash broke his leg during his second game with the Lakers and consequently was only able to play 65 games over the last three seasons due to injuries.
The Canadian basketball player is 41 and left the Phoenix Suns three years ago to play in L.A. He shared his appreciation for the support L.A. fans have given him.
"People in Los Angeles have been incredible to me. I have never had anyone say a negative thing to me in person, and in fact the amount of support I've gotten for the effort and the constant fight to get back on the court — or to overcome the broken leg and the nerve issues and the back and all of it — has been incredibly touching."
"For it just not to be in cards was a failure and also a huge disappointment, and it's been a difficult period in my career and my life to battle through that," he said. "But I know I've never worked harder, I've never wanted something more, it just wasn't to be."
Nash says he'll likely never play basketball again. He doesn't know what he'll do next, but says he plans to stay in L.A. with his kids.
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